Recently, the Cuban government signed agreements that would allow two of the world’s most popular cruise lines, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, passage into the island nation. Guests can now enjoy Cuba as a part of both cruise lines’ expeditions through the Caribbean. Although the title of first American cruise line to sail into Cuba has already gone to Carnival’s Fathom line, this official announcement still serves as a milestone for guests and cruise companies alike. The soon-to-be inauguration of Cuba into the cruise lines’ itineraries is expected to be more exciting than Carnival’s social impact trips to Cuba, which Cruise Week claimed targeted a market that was too specific.

Instead of the Cuban “volun-tourism” trips that Carnival offered, cruise passengers can now widely enjoy day trips and overnight stays in Havana, the island nation’s capitol. Additionally, Cuban Americans will now be allowed passage back into their native country for the duration of the cruise ship’s itinerary, an option that wasn’t possible for Carnival because of policies by the Cuban government that prohibited re-entry into Cuba by sea. Now, with the reversal of the policy, island-born Cuban Americans —including Norwegian’s president and CEO, Frank del Rio— can enjoy the cruise lines’ expeditions to Cuba. Del Rio, whose family had to flee Cuba at age six, calls the new advancement “a dream come true.”

All three of Norwegian’s lines and two of Royal Caribbean’s lines—Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises—will be bound for Cuba in the near future. While itinerary details will unfold in the coming weeks, the Cuban government’s green light is said by Cruise Week to “signify the true realization of Cuba’s potential in the cruise industry.”

Cruise ships offer a rich, cultural experience, but sometimes these expeditions can lead to undue injury. If you find yourself in need of legal counsel following an incident on a cruise, contact our cruise ship injury attorneys at Louis A. Vucci, P.A. for knowledgeable representation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today at (786) 375-0344.